Let your foodie flag fly.

Apple and blue cheese stuffed burgers

Living on a Caribbean island off the coast of Honduras certainly did come with its perks but access to blue cheese and fresh fruit (other than mangoes) was not one of them.

Because blue cheese was a rare item, it was almost a celebratory event at my restaurant when these blue cheese and apple burgers were on the menu. The apples are grated into the burger meat, adding juiciness and a unique flavor to patty itself while the blue cheese is stuffed into the middle of the burger so each bite has plenty of melted cheesy goodness.

This recipe will always remind me of humid nights spent in good company and best enjoyed with a cold beer. I hope you enjoy this hearty recipe as much as I do and share it with laughs and good people.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tbs onion powder

½ tablespoon cumin

½ tablespoon smoked paprika

1 egg

2 small or 1 large granny smith apple, grated skin on

2.5 ounces of hard blue cheese such as Stilton

Method

1) In a bowl, mix the salt and pepper spices, meat, grated apple(s), and egg

2) Make a small patty and cook on medium heat 1 – 2 minutes per side until cooked all the way through. This is to test the seasoning and make sure you’re happy with the flavor, if not season accordingly and continue with recipe.

3) Take your blue cheese and divide into four, half ounce balls, press them into semi-flat discs and reserve.

4) Divide the seasoned meat into four, four-ounce portions

5) Make 2 patties out of each four ounce portion, press a small well into one of the patties, place the blue cheese disc into the well and then press the other patty on top (like you’re assembling a sandwich).

Step 1Step 2Step 3

6) Make sure to pinch the sides well to seal in the cheese.

7) Place in the fridge for one hour to firm up.

8) Using either a barbecue or cooktop, lightly oil a pan and place on medium-low heat.

9) Cook the patties slowly (4-6 minutes each side) to allow the cheese to melt and burgers to cook through.